John R.

Kasich, Governor
Michael B. Colbert, Director

Worker s Self-Service
Worker’s Self Service
User Guide
Ohio Unemployment Benefits for Workers - Information at Your
Fingertips
 Why
y Use Self-Service?
Worker (Claimant) Self-Service offers many “benefits” in processing your claim:

• Fast and convenient service

• Reduction in your response time
• Reduction in your mail costs
• Capability
C bilit to
t view,
i respond,
d and
d archive
hi correspondence
d online
li
• Peace of mind that your responses and appeals have been received
• Access to file your continued weeks online
• Capacity to track the status of your claim information
• Extended “business hours”

Note: When filing via self-service (online), your application will be effective in the
week the application is filed. If you wish to have the application effective for a
previous week
week, you must file by phone at 1-877-644-6562
1 877 644 6562.

2
 Basic Computer
p Navigation
g

Check boxes, drop- 1) Check Box Click on this box to select the item to the right. A check in the middle
of the box indicates a selected check box.
down lists,, radio 2) D
Drop-Down
D Li
Listt This contains a preset list of items from which the user can select.
buttons and text However, free text cannot be entered here.
boxes are methods 3) Radio Button Click on this button to select the item to the right of the circle. A dot in
the middle of the circle indicates a selected radio button.
of selection and 4) Editable Text Box An editable text box allows the user to enter information for particular
identification
identification. records
records.
5) Non-editable Text Box A non-editable text box contains pre-filled data, and therefore, you are
not able to enter information.

Clicking is a way 1) Clicking While the pointer is positioned over the desired item, quickly press
of navigating with (once) and release the left mouse button.

a mouse.

All fields containing an asterisk (*) are required fields, and you must provide a
response before advancing to the next screen
screen.

3
 Filing a New Claim - What to Expect

The online initial application takes about 25 minutes. You will need to
file a new claim if you have not applied for unemployment benefits at
any time in the past 12 months.
Your application is not filed until you receive a confirmation number. If
you are disconnected
di t d or llog outt b
before
f completing
l ti your application,
li ti use
your User Name and PIN to log back in and resume the application
process.
CAUTION: From the time you begin a new application online, you have
48 hours to complete it. If your application is not completed within this
time frame, all information you previously entered will be deleted and
you will
ill h
have tto start
t t ffrom th
the b
beginning.
i i K
Keep thi
this d
deadline
dli iin mind
i d if
you are disconnected or if you choose to sign off and sign on again at a
later time.

4
 Filing a New Claim - What You Will Need
• Your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address
• Your social security number
• Employment history,
history including most recent employment start and end dates
• The name, address, telephone number and dates of your employment with each employer
for whom you worked in the last 6 weeks of employment (have your W-2 form or pay stub
available)
• If you had out
out-of-state
of state employment within the last 18 months
months, the name
name, address
address, telephone
number and dates of your employment with each employer for whom you worked out-of-
state within the past 18 months
• Your discharge papers (form DD-214, member 4) if you were separated from military service
with anyy branch of the U.S. armed forces within the past
p 18 months,
• If you were employed by the federal government within the past 18 months, the SF-8 and
SF-50 form given to you by your government employer at the time of your separation
• The reason you became unemployed from each employer
• Dependents' names,
Dependents names social security numbers and dates of birth
• If claiming dependents, your spouse's name and social security number
• Alien Registration number and the expiration date of your work authorization (if you are not a
U.S. citizen or National)
• The title of your regular occupation and job skills

5
 WWW.UNEMPLOYMENT.OHIO.GOV
Using the links on the left side of
this page, you may:
Access an existing
unemployed worker account
Create a New Account
View the Worker’s Guide to
UC (Unemployment
Compensation)
View “Get More Information”
(regarding unemployment
compensation benefits
Find a Job
View Extended Benefits
information (EUC08)
View Debit Card information
Read important message
regarding unemployment
compensation benefits.

6
 Claimant Registration:
g System
y Requirements
q
Browser Support: Our online services require either Internet Explorer, version 4.0 or higher, or
Netscape Navigator, 6.0 or higher. You might experience difficulty with this application because of
particular characteristics of yyour browser. For best results,, use the latest version of the browser.
p
Click on Internet Explorer or Netscape to download a free upgrade to the latest version.

Adobe Acrobat Reader: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 4.02 or higher, installed
on your computer to view documents that have been posted to your inbox. For best results, use the
latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader
Reader. Click on Adobe Reader to download a free version of
Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Note: When filing your claim via Internet and logged into the secure site, do not use the
back button on your browser. This will cause an error in processing your application. To
change your responses on a previous screen, you must 1) log out, 2) log back in,
and 3) advance through each of the previously completed screens, making the
necessary changes on each screen
screen.

7
Claimant Self-Service Registration
When you file your application
online, you are connected to a
secure website.
Before you can begin using
Claimant Self-Service, you must
review the Release of
Information screen.
By clicking
B li ki on th the “I Agree”
A ” lilink,
k
you indicate that you understand
there are penalties and/or legal
consequences should you
knowingly
gyp provide false or
insufficient information.
If all of your employment in
the past 18 months was in a
state other than Ohio, click on
the “Click here for more
information” link.

8
 Claimant Self-Service Registration
g
The Help link is a consistent
feature throughout the self-
service web views. In addition
to using this feature during
registration, log-in, and the PIN
reset process, claimants can
use the Help link to better
understand various fields
completed during the
application process.

If you are a first time filer or

have not already established
a PIN hint question, you will
need to click on the “Register
to file your claims online” link
to begin the filing process.

The “Benefits Online” link will You may click on “Request your
return you to the Ohio lost/forgotten PIN” to request a
Unemployment Benefits Online new PIN only if you have already
home page. established a PIN hint question.

9
Claimant Registration
g Screen - Step
p 1 of 2
Enter the requested information
in the appropriate fields. Enter
your name exactly as it
appears on your social
security card.

Choose your PIN hint question

using
i th
the d
drop-down
d menu
provided and enter your PIN
hint answer.

When you have completed this

screen, click the Next button to
advance.

10
 Claimant Registration-Step
g p 2 of 2
Write down your temporary
PIN number.
For a successful login, you need
your user name (your social
security number) AND your
TEMPORARY PIN number.

The first time you login with your

TEMPORARY PIN number, the
system will prompt you to choose
a new PIN (8-digit numeric only).

After writing down your

TEMPORARY PIN, click on the
“Login Screen” link.

NOTE: You will not be given a temporary PIN number if a PIN

number has already been issued to you.

11
Claimant Login
g Screen
Log in using your Social
Security Number as the User
Name/SSN and the temporary
PIN that was provided to you
on the previous screen or the
PIN that was previously issued
to you.
NOTE: After three
unsuccessful login attempts,
access is revoked. Access can
only be reactivated by either
using the PIN hint question or
b calling
by lli ODJFS
ODJFS.
When you have completed
these entries, click the Login
button to advance.

12
Change
g User PIN
Note: This screen must be
completed in order to
continue with your
application for
unemployment benefits.

You must create your own

personalized PIN by entering
an 8-digit numeric PIN in The
new PIN and New PIN
Confirm fields.

When you have completed

these entries, click the Submit
button.

13
Ohio Unemployment
p y Benefits - Main Menu
You are now on the Main Menu.
From this menu, you may:

File an application/claim for

unemployment benefits
View information about
federal extended benefits
Complete weekly claims for
benefits
View payment information
Update your personal
information
Update Direct Deposit
information
Change your PIN or PIN hint
question
View correspondence from
ODJFS

14
Filing
g a New Application/Claim
pp
To file a new application/claim
for unemployment, click the
button that appears to the left
of “File
File a new Claim for
Unemployment Benefits.”
To restart an existing claim,
review the instructions found
on the next page of this guide
guide.
If you have exhausted all
regular unemployment
benefits and are eligible to file
for Extended Unemployment
Compensation (EUC08), the
option to file for EUC08 will
appear under the New Claim
section of this screen.

15
 Restarting
g Your Application/Claim
pp
If you have an existing claim,
the option to file a new claim
will not appear. However, if
you wish to restart your
existing claim, click on the
button that appears to the left
of “Restart Your Claim.”
Note: It is only necessary to
restart your claim after a
period of re-employment or
a period of not filing weekly
claims for benefits. It is not
necessary to restart your
claim each time you wish to
claim weeks of
unemployment.

If you have exhausted regular unemployment benefits and are eligible to file for
Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC08),
(EUC08) the option to file for EUC08 will
appear under the New Claim section of this screen.

16
Personal Information
Enter the requested information
in the appropriate fields. Use
the drop-down menus, and
check the boxes where
applicable.
If your mailing address is the
same as your residence
address leave the Mailing
address,
Address section blank.
An explanation of the
correspondence preference
is listed on the next page.
p g
When you have completed this
screen, click the Next button to
advance.

17
 Correspondence
p Preferences
You can receive correspondence by regular mail or by e-mail.

Regular Mail
• Regular mail is the option to receive correspondence via the U.S. Postal Service
and is the automatic (default) setting for all claims filed.

E-mail Notification
• You can be notified by e-mail that you have new correspondence in your
Correspondence Inbox. Generally, the correspondence is not viewable in the
e-mail notification. To view correspondence, you will need to log into your
account, then go to Main Menu. Under View Correspondence Inbox, click on
View Notices and Determinations. Some correspondence is time sensitive.
You are responsible for viewing all correspondence in a timely manner.
• Note: E-mail notification has the same appeal rights as the regular mail option.

18
Demographic
g p Information
Enter the requested information
in the appropriate fields. Use
the drop-down menus, and
check the boxes where
applicable.

If you are not a US Citizen or

US N National,
ti l you mustt provide
id
your alien authorization
information.

When you have completed this

screen, click the Next button to
advance.

19
Eligibility
g y Questions - Page
g 1
Enter the requested information
in the appropriate fields. Use
the drop-down menus, and
check the boxes where
applicable.

If you answer “Yes” to some of

the questions, you will be
transferred to additional
screens, where applicable, to
provide additional information.

An explanation of each field

on this screen is listed on the
next page.

When you have completed this

screen, click
li k th
the Next
N t button
b tt to
t
advance.

20
 Explanation
p of Eligibility
g y Questions – Page
g 1
QUESTION EXPLANATION
Answer this question “Yes” if you have filed a claim for benefits in
Have you filed a claim for Unemployment Benefits in the last 12
any state in the past 12 months. Provide the state you filed in and
months?
answer the
th question
ti regarding
di work k since
i you llastt fil
filed.
d

Have you worked in regular employment (not military or federal Answer this question “Yes” if you have worked in Ohio and another
civilian) in any state other than Ohio from (start date) to (end date)? state during the dates shown.

Answer this question “Yes” if you have served in active duty for at
Have you served in the US military from (start date) to (end date)?
least 90 days during the dates shown
shown.

Answer this question “Yes” if you have worked for the federal
Since (start date), have you had any federal civilian employment?
government as a civilian.

When employed, are you the principal wage or salary earner in your Answer this question “Yes” if you earn over 50% of the money for
household? your household.
household
Answer this question “Yes” if you were an officer (e.g. president,
Are you or have you been an officer of a corporation, or did you own
vice president, etc.) of a corporation or owned/operated your own
or operate a business within the past 18 months?
business.
Answer this question “Yes” if you are required to pay child support.
Are you required to pay child support to a court or Child Support
If y
yes,, do you
y want the payments
p y voluntarilyy withheld from your
y
E f
Enforcement t Agency?
A ?
unemployment benefits?
Unemployment benefits are taxable under federal income tax laws.
Would you like to have 10% of any benefit payments to which you
Answer this question “Yes” if you want 10% withheld for tax
may become entitled withheld for Federal Income Taxes?
purposes.
Claiming a dependent child(ren) and/or spouse may increase the
Do you wish to claim your child and/or spouse as a dependent? amount of your weekly benefits.
benefits Answer this question “Yes”Yes if you
want to claim a dependent child(ren) and/or spouse.

21
Eligibility
g y Questions - Page
g 2
Enter the requested
information in the appropriate
fields. Use the drop-down
menus and check the boxes
menus,
where applicable.

An explanation of each field

on this screen is listed on
the next page.

When you have completed

this screen, click the Next
button to advance.
advance

22
 Explanation
p of Eligibility
g y Questions – Page
g 2
QUESTION EXPLANATION
Answer this question “Yes” if you have applied for a pension, any
other retirement payments, severance pay or if you are receiving
any pension
pension, retirement payments
payments, and/or severance paypay.
Have you applied for or are you currently receiving any of the
following: pension, social security, retirement payments, severance
pay? If yes, in the text box below the question, provide the company you
worked for while earning the pension and/or the name of the
company paying the severance pay, the amount you received or will
receive the frequency of payments (e
receive, (e.g.
g lump sum,
sum weekly
payments, monthly payments, etc.) and when the payments began
or will begin.
Answer this question “Yes” if the employer has already given you a
Do you have a definite recall date from any of your former
return to work date. Also provide the return to work date and your
employers?
last day worked in the appropriate fields.
Do you expect to be recalled by any of your former employers within Answer this question “Yes” if you expect to be recalled to work by a
12 weeks of your last day of work? former employer within 3 months of your last day worked.

Answer this question “Yes” if you are attending school now and
provide the requested school information. If you will be attending
Are you currently enrolled in/attending school, college, or vocational
school in the future and have not yet started classes, answer
training?
this question “No” and contact your processing center before
classes begin.

Are you a member in good standing of a skilled trade union?
Please select your union from the list and enter the details about
your union.
Most unions do not have hiring halls. If you seek work only through
a union hiring hall (not on your own) and are placed with employers
by the union hall, locate the union from the drop-down
drop down list. If this
does not apply to you, make no selection from the drop-down list.
The system will default to “None of these/Not in a union.”

23
 Dependent
p Summary
y
From this screen, you will either
add a dependent child(ren) or a
spouse by clicking on the
appropriate button.
button

If you do not want to claim any

dependents, click the box
before the sentence that begins
“If you do not want to claim
any dependents…”.

When you have completed this

screen, click the Next button to
advance.

Note: If you are married and want to claim a dependent child,

you must provide your spouse’s information, even if you are not
claiming your spouse as a dependent.

24
Dependent
p Child Details
To claim a child, stepchild, or
adopted child, you will need to
enter all the information that is
being requested to determine
eligibility.

The dates shown in this

example may be different,
depending on the date your
application for benefits is filed.

Note: If you do not provide a

social security number
number, you
will not be allowed to claim
this dependent until this
information is provided.

When you have

Wh h completed
l t d this
thi
screen, click the OK button to
advance.

25
Dependent
p Spouse
p Details
To claim a spouse, you will
need to enter all the information
that is being requested to
determine eligibility.
eligibility

The dates shown in this

example may be different,
depending on the date your
application for benefits is filed.

Note: The “Date Of Birth”

field is a required field even
though no asterisk (*)()
appears before the question.

When you have completed this

screen, click the OK button to
advance.
d

26
Spouse’s
p Information
You will be navigated to this
screen only if you have
claimed a dependent child(ren)
and have not provided
information about your spouse.
If you are married and wish
to claim a dependent child,
you must provide your
spouse’s information, even
if you are not claiming your
spouse as a dependent.
When yyou have completed
p this
screen, click the Next button
to advance.

27
 Child Support
pp Withholding
g Summary
y
If you have a court order, you
may elect to have child support
withheld from your
unemployment compensation
benefits.

To provide child support

withholding information, click
on the
th Add button.
b tt

If you do not want to provide

child support information, click
You cannot have child support deducted voluntarily from the box before the sentence
benefits when there is no court ordered support required (e.g., that begins “If you do not want
when there is just a verbal agreement between you and the to provide child support
other parent). withholding information…”

ODJFS regularly
g y receives requests
q from Child Support
pp When yyou have completed
p this
Enforcement Agencies (CESA) to withhold payments from UC screen, click the Next button to
benefits. If such a request for withholding is received, the advance.
CESA request will take precedence.

28
 Child Support
pp Withholding
g Details
Enter the Court Order number
and Ohio SETS number, if
applicable.

Use the drop-down menu to

select the state and agency to
which payments are issued.

Start Date will be your Benefit

Year Beginning date (BYB)
assigned on date of application.

When you have completed this

screen, click the OK button to
advance.

The End Date shows the

Enter your Weekly Amount here. expiration of court order
payments. If you do not know
this information, leave it blank.

29
 Reporting
p g Your Reason for Unemployment
p y
On the next several screens, you will report employment information. When reporting employment, you
must also provide the reason you are no longer working for the employer. Below is a list of the most
common separation types.
• Lack of Work: There has been a separation from employment and claimant is not working. The company
may have closed, downsized, gone out of business, been destroyed, be out of money, gone bankrupt, lost a
contract or have excess personnel. Claimant may be furloughed, laid off, etc.
• Discharge: Employer acted to sever the employee-employer relationship. Claimant was not permitted to
continue working.
• Quit: Claimant acted to sever the employee-employer relationship. Claimant could have continued to work.
• Leave of Absence: There has been no separation from employment, but claimant is not working for other
reasons (e.g. medical leave, adoption leave, etc.).
• Still Employed: There has been no separation from employment, but claimant continues to work on a part-
time basis.
basis
• Disciplinary Leave/Suspension: There has been no separation from employment, but claimant is not
working. Company may have dismissed the claimant from work while an investigation is being done and/or
for disciplinary reasons.
• Labor Dispute: Involves a group of individuals that are unemployed because a union, or a portion of union
membership,
b hi and d an employer
l are nott iin agreement.
t A llabor
b didispute
t iis usually
ll called
ll d a strike
t ik bbutt can also
l
be called a walkout, blue flu, shutout, lockout, wildcat strike, etc.

30
 Military
y Employment
p y
A “Yes” response to the
question about military
employment on the Eligibility
Questions - Page 1 screen
will cause the system to route
you to this screen to provide
the necessary information.

Use th
U the ddrop-down
d menu tto
select your branch of service.

Enter your official discharge

date.

When you have completed

this screen, click the Next
button to advance.

If you did not have military employment during the dates listed, click
the box before the sentence that begins “If you have not had any
militaryy employment…”
p y

31
 Federal Civilian Employment
p y Summary
y
A “Yes” response to the
question about federal civilian
employment on the Eligibility
Questions - Page 1 screen
will cause the system to route
you to this screen to provide
the necessary information

Click on the Add Employer

button to advance to the next
screen for employment
details.

When you have completed

this screen, click the Next
button to advance.

If you did not have federal civilian employment during the dates listed,
click the box before the sentence that begins “If you have not had
any y federal civilian employment…”
p y

32
 Select Federal Civilian Employer
p y
If you are able to find your employer among the
search results, you must select the
corresponding radio button (to the left of your
employer’s name) and click on the Select
Employer button to advance to the Federal
Civilian Employment Details screen.
On this screen, select one of
the radio buttons beside the
Search Criteria field you wish to
use.
use
Enter either the employer’s
name (agency or division) or
the 3-digit federal ID code and
click the Search button. The
3-digit federal ID code is found
on your Standard Form 8
issued at the time of
separation.
separation
If you cannot find your employer among
the search results, you will need to click
the Cannot Find Employer button to
advance to the Federal Civilian
Employment Details screen.
33
Federal Civilian Employment
p y Details
If you found your employer
among the search results, the
screen will be returned with
agency division/branch/
agency,
location, address, city, state,
zip code, and country fields
pre-filled.

If you could
ld nott find
fi d your
employer and selected the
Cannot Find Employer on the
previous screen, this screen
will have no p
pre-filled fields.

Note: You must fill out this

screen completely to ensure
that your claim is
processed.
processed

When you have completed this

screen, click the OK button to
advance.

34
Additional Federal Employment
p y Information
Enter the requested information
in the appropriate fields, using
the drop-down menus, and
radio buttons where
applicable.

When you have completed this

screen click the Next button to
screen,
advance.

35
 Out-of-State Employment
p y
A “Yes” response to the question
about out-of-state employment on
the Eligibility Questions - Page 1
screen will cause the system to
route you to this screen to
provide the necessary
information.

To add an out-of-state employer,

click on the Add Employer
button. You must add each
out-of-state employer you have
worked for during the dates
shown on the lower portion of
the screen.

See the next page of this guide

f new guidelines
for id li on filing
fili a
claim when you have worked
If you did not have out-of-state employment during the dates listed,
out-of-state.
click the box before the sentence that begins “If you have not had
any regular employment outside Ohio…”
When you have completed this
screen, click the Next button to
advance.
36
 Guidelines for Filing
g With Out-of-State Employment
p y

The U.S. Department of Labor has changed the definition of a Combined Wage Claim (CWC)
paying state.
Effective January 11, 2009, an applicant must have employment in the state in which
they file and must qualify for unemployment benefits in that state using the combined
employment and wages of two or more states.
Immediately upon certification of a new Ohio claim,
claim the ODJFS benefit system will search for
the claimant’s wages, including Ohio wages.
If no Ohio wages are found, the ODJFS benefit system will send you a questionnaire
g g employment
regarding p y in the p
past 18 months. After the response
p time, if Ohio wages
g are not
entered, the ODJFS benefit system will disallow the application.
If your claim is disallowed due to having no Ohio wages, a determination will be sent
informing you that your Ohio claim has been disallowed and that you may file in a state where
you had employment
employment. It may take up to two (2) weeks to receive this determination
which could delay properly filing in another state.

37
Out-of-State Employment
p y
On the Out-of-State Employment
detail screen, enter the information
that is requested and use the
drop down menus where applicable.
drop-down applicable

Note: You must fill out this screen

completely to ensure that your
claim is processed.

Enter either the physical address for

the employer or a PO Box for the
employer. Do not enter both. In the
PO Box field,
field you must still include
the words “PO Box”.

If you worked during any of the

periods listed at the bottom of the
screen, be
b sure tot provide
id the
th
number of weeks you worked
during each quarter.

When yyou have completed

p this
screen, click the OK button to
advance.

38
Mass Layoff/Buyout
y y ID Number
If you were provided a Mass
Layoff/Buyout Identification
Number at the time of
separation you will enter
separation,
the number on this page.

If you answered “Yes” above

and had other employment
within the six weeks prior to
filing, you will click on “Yes.”

When you have completed this

screen click the Next button to
screen,
advance.

39
Employment
y History
y (Only one employer in last 18 months)
If only one employer has
reported wage information
for you in the past 18
months you will be routed to
months,
this screen.

Answer “No” if you have

worked for only one
employer since the date
shown.

When you have completed

this screen, click the Next
button to advance.

40
Employment
y Details (Only one employer in last 18 months)
You will be routed to this
screen if you responded
“No” to the question of
“have
have you worked for more
than one employer since
(start date)”.

Enter the requested

information in the
appropriate fields and use
the drop-down menu where
applicable.
applicable

When you have completed

this screen, click the Next
b tt to
button t advance.
d

41
 Recent Employment
p y History
y Summary
y
Provide all of your employment
for your last six weeks of work;
or if you are restarting your
existing claim
claim, enter all of your
employment since last filing for
weekly benefits. If your
employer has provided you a
mass layoff/buyout number and
you did not work for another
employer in the last six weeks,
you will not be routed to this
screen.

Click on the Add Employer

button to search for your most
recent employer.

Do not include military service, federal civilian, or any out-of-state employment you have already
provided on previous pages. If your most recent employer is military service, federal civilian, or out-of-
state employment, do not re-enter the employer. Click on the Next button to advance.

42
Recent Employment
p y History
y – Employer
p y ID #
You may search for your most
recent employer using the
employer’s Federal Employer
Identification Number (FEIN)
(FEIN).
This number is usually located
on your W-2.
When searching for your
employer do not include any
employer,
dashes.
If you do not know your
employer’s FEIN, click on the
No FEIN/Skip button.
button

43
Recent Employment
p y Name & Zip
p Code
Enter as much of the
employer’s name as you know
and enter the zip code, then
click the Search button.
button If you
are unsure of the employer’s
zip code, you do not need to
include this information in your
search.

Helpful hints for locating

your most recent employer
are listed on the next p
page
g of
this guide.

44
 Helpful
p Hints for Locating
g An Employer
p y

• If available, search for your employer using the Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
that appears on yyour W-2 or check stub.
• Search for your employer using the employer’s name as it appears on your check stub. The
name on the building may not always be the name the employer uses for unemployment
purposes.
• When your employer’s
employer s name contains several words
words, try using one or two of the words that
begin the employer’s name, then add the additional words as needed to locate the employer.
(Example: If your employer is “ABC Warehouse and Storage Company”, start with “ABC
Warehouse”.)
• If your employer’s
employer s name contains the word “and”
and , try searching for the employer using the
word “and” or use the symbol “&”. (Example: if your employer is “ABC Warehouse and
Storage Company” or “ABC Warehouse & Storage Company”)
• Try searching for the employer using the company owner’s name.

45
Recent Employment
p y History
y - Select Employer
p y
If the system finds an employer,
the information for that
employer appears at the
bottom of this screen.
screen

When you locate your

employer, select the radio
b tt to
button t the
th left
l ft off the
th
employer’s name, then click on
the Select Employer button.

46
Recent Employment
p y Detail
If you are able to locate your
employer, the upper portion
of this screen will contain
pre filled fields that cannot
pre-filled
be altered.
Complete the Additional
Employer Detail section of the
screen.
screen
When answering the question
“Have you worked at least 6
weeks and earned at least…”,
respond
p “Yes” if y
you have
worked at least 1 day a week
for 6 weeks since originally
hired by the employer and
earned the amount shown.
When you have completed this
screen, click the OK button to
advance.

47
Recent Employment
p y Detail
If you are unable to locate
your employer, you must
provide all employer contact
information to ensure that
your claim can be processed.
You can usually get this
information from a recent check
stub or W-2.
If you do not have a recent
check stub or W-2, try calling
the employer for this
information.
Enter either the physical
address for the employer or a
PO Box for the employer. Do
not enter both. If you enter a
PO Box,
Box you must enter “PO
PO
Box” or “Box” at the beginning
of the field.
When you have completed this
screen click the OK button to
screen,
advance.

48
Register
g for Job Matching
g
If you are required to register
for job matching you will be
transferred to the Job
Registration screen.
screen There you
can register so you remain
eligible to receive benefits.

Select
S l t the
th “O
“Occupation
ti Lookup”
L k ”
button. On that screen, select
two (2) occupations in which
you would like to work.

When you have completed this

screen, click the Next button to
advance.

49
Direct Deposit
p
You will be shown the
Payment Preference Details
screen if you have selected
direct deposit as your method
of benefit payment from the
Personal Information screen.
To participate in direct
deposit, you must provide, at a
minimum, your bank name,
bank account number,
account type, and bank
routing number. See the
next page of this guide for
information on locating
banking information.
If you change your mind, you
have the option
p to elect not to
participate in direct deposit
and to select the debit card
program.

When you have completed this

screen, click the Next button
to advance.
50
 Locating
g Banking
g Information
Always provide the banking
information from your personal
checks. The information that
appears on your deposit slips
may be different and may delay
receipt of benefit payments.

The name off your Financial

Th Fi i l
Institution should appear
immediately below the “Dollars”
line.

The Bank Routing The Account Number is Do not include the check
Number is the 9-digit usually 8-10 digits at the number when providing
number that appears in bottom of your check. the account number.
the lower left corner of
your checks.

51
 Certification
The Certification of
Application process is required
to complete registration for
benefits.
benefits
If you exit before certifying the
claim, you have 48 hours to
finish before all previously saved
information is removed from the
system.
Each time text is entered and
saved within the 48 hour time
frame,, a new 48 hour period
p
begins. This time limit also
applies when you cancel your
claim on the Certification screen
and then decide later to certify.

Note: No mail is generated prior to certification. If you agree to the

certification statement and want to have your claim submitted for processing,
click the radio button next to the sentence beginning
g g with “I agree
g to all…”
and click the Next button.

52
 Claim Confirmation
When you certify your initial
claim, you will receive a claim
Confirmation Number.

Claim confirmation is the final

step in the unemployment
compensation application
process.

Congratulations! You have completed your application for unemployment benefits!! You
will receive a New Claim Instruction Sheet which contains instructions for filing your
weekly claims.

Filing the application is the first step to receiving unemployment benefits. For payment, you must
file weekly or bi-weekly claims for each week that you are unemployed. You can file your
weekly claim no earlier than the Sunday after the week ends, and no later than 21 days after the
week ends. Claims for benefits filed beyond this time limit will be disallowed unless you can
establish that the late filing was for reasons beyond your control.

53
Filing
g Weekly
y or Bi-Weekly
y Claims
For payment, you must file
weekly or bi-weekly claims
for each week that you are
unemployed or make less
than your weekly benefit
amount.
To file your week, click on the
button next to the week you
wish to claim.
Note: Weeks must be
claimed in chronological
order (oldest week to the
most current week). Failure
to claim the weeks in order
may result in weeks no longer
being available to claim via the
i t
internet.
t
When filing the first three (3)
weeks on an initial claim, you
may file weekly. To continue
fili weekly,
filing kl your
correspondence preference
must be e-mail.
54
Continued Claim Application
pp
The questions that appear on
this page are the most
common questions. The
questions you must respond
to may differ depending upon
your requirements to seek
work and be available for
work.
Answer all questions honestly
and correctly as the law does
provide penalties for false
statements to obtain benefits.
An explanation of each
question can be found on the
next page of this guide.
When you have completed this
screen, click the Next button to
advance.

55
 Explanation of Questions on Continued Claim
Application Screen
QUESTION
During the week claimed, were you available for work?
During the week claimed, were you physically and mentally able to
work?
During the week claimed, did you contact at least two employers?
(Reminder: You must keep a weekly record of your employer
contacts.)
During the week claimed, (a) did you refuse work or a referral to
work? (b) did you quit employment? (c) were you discharged (fired)
from employment?
During the week claimed, did you apply for (or was there a change
in the amount of pension, social security, or any other type of
retirement p
payment?
y anyy other type
Did you receive, or will you receive, holiday pay for a holiday that
occurred during the week claimed?
Did you work (full-time or part-time) or were you self-employed
during the week claimed?
EXPLANATION
Answer this question “Yes” if you were available to report to work if
a former employer or new employer called you for work during the
week.
Answer this question “Yes” if you were able to work (e.g. was not
sick or under a doctor’s care and could not work) during the week.
Answer this question “Yes” if you applied for work during the week
with at least two employers who hire in your trade or occupation.
Answer these questions “No” if you did not refuse work or a referral
from ODJFS for work, did not quit employment, and was not fired
from employment since last filing your application for benefits.
Answer this question “No” if you did not apply for, have a change in
the amount (increase or decrease), or begin receiving a pension or
yp of retirement p
payment.
y
Answer this question “No” if you did not receive or will not receive
holiday pay for a holiday that falls within the week. If yes, you must
provide the gross amount you received or will receive in the field
directly below the question.
Answer this question “No” if you did not work at all during the week.
Reminder: If you filed your application by phone and worked during
the week, your earnings were not recorded during the application
process. You must report the earnings on this screen.
If yes, you must provide the gross amount you received or will
receive in the field directly below the question.
Provide a return to work date only if you returned to full
full-time
time work
during this week. Be sure to also provide your earnings.
56
Weekly
y Claim – Certification
Review the answers provided
on the previous page and the
certification statement.
If you agree, click on the radio
button next to the sentence
that begins “I agree to all…”
If you wish to make changes
to your answers, click on the
radio button next to the
sentence that begins “I wish to
change…”
If you do not agree and wish
to cancel the weekly claim,
click on the radio button next
to the sentence that begins “I
do not agree…”
agree…
When you have completed this
screen, click the Next button
to advance.

57
 Weekly
y Claim Confirmation
Record your confirmation
number, then click on the Next
button.
You will be returned to the
main menu.
Continue claiming all weeks
that you are unemployed or
earn less than your weekly
benefit amount.

Claims for benefits filed beyond the 21 day time limit will be disallowed unless you can establish that
the late filing was for reasons beyond your control. If for any reason you are unable to claim benefits
for more than a few days, contact your Processing Center or contact the Call Center at 1-877-644-
6562 immediately.

58
Ohio Unemployment
p y Benefits - Main Menu
Use the View Correspondence
Inbox section to view notices
and determinations pertaining
to your claim
claim.

To view your correspondence,

click the button that appears to
th lleft
the ft off “View
“Vi Notices
N ti and
d
Determinations.”

59
 Most Common Types
yp of Correspondence
p
• UI (Unemployment Insurance) Initial Allowed/Denied: The determination that tells you if your application
for regular UI benefits is allowed or denied.
– If allowed,
allowed the determination provides your benefit year effective and end dates
dates, weekly benefit
amount, the dependency class used to determine your weekly benefit amount, total benefits payable,
and the decision on the separation from your most recent employer(s).
– If denied, the determination provides an explanation of why the application is denied.
• UI (Unemployment Insurance) Additional: The determination that tells you if your additional/restart
application is allowed or denied.
• EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation) Initial Allowed/Denied: The determination that tells
you if your application for Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) is allowed or denied.
– If allowed,, the determination provides
p your
y weeklyy benefit amount,, total benefits payable,
p y , and,, if
applicable, the decision on the separation from your most recent employer(s).
– If denied, the determination provides an explanation of why the application is denied.
• Unemployment Benefit Payment: This is your check stub for unemployment benefit payments. The
check stub will provide your weekly benefit amount, deductions, net payment, and remaining benefit
balance.
• Claimant 1099: Your tax statement for benefits received during a specific tax year.
• Notice of Eligibility Issue: The notification that there is an issue that may affect your eligibility to receive
benefit payments. You may be required to provide information about the issue.

60
 Using
g the Correspondence
p Filters
There are four
correspondence filters in the
drop-down menu labeled
“Correspondence
Correspondence Type
Type”.
However, you are not
required to filter your
correspondence. If you
choose not to use a filter, all
correspondence will appear in
the list.
The filter helps to
isolate/locate particular pieces
of correspondence.
Select the type of
correspondence you wish to
view, then click on the Search
b tt
button.

When you have located the correspondence you wish to

view click on the radio button to the left of the document
view, document.
Then click on the View Details button.

61
Using
g the Correspondence
p “Status” Filter
The “Status” filter allows you to
focus on categories of
correspondence. However,
you are not required to filter
your correspondence. If you
choose not to use a filter, all
correspondence will appear in
the list.

62
Viewing
g Correspondence
p
From the Correspondence InBox
screen, you may select and view
all correspondence.
•Unemployment Benefit
Payment (check stub)*
•Claimant 1099
(tax statement)
•Continued Week
Determinations
•Notices, etc.
*When providing information
to other agencies, your check
stub and UI Allowed/Denied
determination contain most
information requested.

63
Viewing Correspondence Past the “Action
Needed by”
y Date
When attempting to view
correspondence past the
“Action Needed by” date, you
will receive a validation
message which reads: “You
can no longer respond to
this request for information.
For further assistance,
please call (614) XXX-XXXX”.
You may contact your
Processing Center or the Call
Centers for more information
on the correspondence.

64
Viewing Correspondence Within the “Action
Needed by”
by Date
When you are within your
“Action Needed by” date,
select the radio button to the
left of the correspondence you
wish to view and click on the
View Details button.
Reminder: Responding by
self service has the same
self-service
deadline and appeal period as
the regular mail option.

65
Reviewing/Responding
g p g to a Notice of Eligibility
g y
After reviewing the information
contained in the notice, you must
select the radio button to the left
of the sentence that begins “II
will provide the information…”
along with the Next button in
order to respond to the notice.
If you do not wish to respond
now, select the radio button to
the left of the sentence that
begins “I will not provide the
information…” and click on the
Next button.

66
Answering
g Eligibility
g y Questionnaires
After answering all questions,
you must first select the
check box indicating
agreement with the
certification statement.
Then click on the Certify
button. To change your
answers after certification, you
must contact your Processing
Center.

67
Filing
g An Appeal
pp – Step
p1
To file an appeal, first select
the determination with which
you do not agree, and click on
the View Details button
button.

Next, click on the File Appeal

button.

68
Filing
g an Appeal
pp –Step
p2
Enter the requested information
using the drop-down menu and
radio button. Provide a
statement explaining why you
do not agree with the
determination.

Warning: The text box will

only hold 250 characters. If
your statement is longer than
250 characters
characters, provide a
brief statement online and the
remaining information by US
mail. Be sure to state that
“additional information will
b sentt by
be b US mail”
il” in
i your
appeal online.

69
 Appeal
pp Confirmation
Once you have completed your appeal, click
on the Close button to close the window.
After clicking on the check box
to the left of the “certification
statement” and clicking on the
Certify button,
button you will receive
an appeal confirmation
number.
If you wish to withdraw your
appeal prior to receiving your
determination, click on the
Withdraw button.
NOTE: You must continue to file claims for any
weeks you are unemployed while awaiting a
determination on your appeal. If the appeal is
decided in your favor, you may receive payment
only for weeks that are properly claimed and
otherwise payable.
70